Rahul Gandhi To Embark On Two-Day Visit To J&K Today, His First After Article 370 Abrogation

Rahul Gandhi's visit will focus on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir two years after the abrogation of Article 370 and what his stand is on the restoration of Article 370.

Rahul Gandhi | File Image

Rahul Gandhi In J&K: Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi will reach Srinagar on Monday evening commencing his two-day visit. This is Rahul Gandhi's first visit to Srinagar since Article 370 was abolished in Jammu and Kashmir. Though Rahul Gandhi had reached Srinagar with an opposition delegation two weeks after Article 370 was abrogated in August 2019, the administration then had returned all opposition leaders from the airport.

Rahul Gandhi's Schedule 

Rahul will attend the reception of Jammu and Kashmir Congress state president Ghulam Ahmed Mir's son-in-law late Monday evening. He will also inaugurate the new Jammu and Kashmir Congress office in the capital Srinagar on Tuesday. Ahead of the Congress' office inauguration, Rahul Gandhi will first Kheer Bhavani temple at 9 am on Tuesday. Kheer Bhavani Temple is located in Ganderbal, an hour away from Srinagar.

Rahul Gandhi will then visit Hazrat Bal Masjid in Srinagar. There is a possibility that Rahul may also visit the Gurudwara of the sixth Padshahi and Mazar of saint Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi will inaugurate the new Jammu and Kashmir Congress office at around 12 noon after the shrines are laid down. After this, he will hold a meeting with party leaders and workers.

Rahul Gandhi's visit is significant because he will enter Srinagar for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370. The removal of Article 370 by the Modi government was termed "unconstitutional" by Congress.

Congress has been demanding statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Congress' stand on the restoration of 370 is not clear.

Recently, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh's statement came to light that Congress may consider restoring Article 370 once it comes back to power. However, Congress had officially distanced itself from Digvijay Singh's statement.

Rahul Gandhi's visit to Srinagar will focus on his statement on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir two years after the abrogation of Article 370 and his stand on the restoration of article 370.

2 Years Since Article 370 Abrogation

On August 5, 2019, the Modi government abolished Article 370 with special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir and divided the state of Jammu and Kashmir to form two centrally-ruled states in the form of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.